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Jennifer Heebner Named Executive Director of CPAA
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Jennifer Heebner has been named the part-time executive director of the Cultured Pearl Association of America. “I have long thought that pearls were the best story of all in jewelry and am incredibly excited to share the story of the pearl with a wide audience,” she said.
New York--The Cultured Pearl Association of America announced Thursday that longtime industry journalist Jennifer Heebner has been named part-time executive director, effective Jan. 1.
Heebner spent nearly two decades as a market editor for JCK, winning awards for her coverage of fine jewelry and fashion. During that time, she cultivated a love for pearls, writing about the gemstone extensively and traveling to Jewelmer’s pearl farms in the Philippines.
She currently travels extensively to major international trade shows to keep a pulse on the market, writing for The Gem Guide, The Jewelry Book, Rapaport and her own website, and is the incoming president of the New York Metro Chapter of the Women’s Jewelry Association.
In her new role with CPAA, Heebner and current Marketing Director Kathy Grenier will “reimagine” the organization’s website to include original content that will be shared through the Shells newsletter, content collaborations with jewelry trade publications, social media campaigns, reinvigorated design contests and continued promotion of the “Pearls As One” course.
In addition, CPAA President Aziz Basalely, owner of Eliko Pearl, announced that the 60-year-old nonprofit is relocating its offices from Providence, Rhode Island to New York. The move is being made “in the interest of growth and future opportunities,” the CPAA said.
“CPAA is excited to usher in a new era and reinvigorated marketing efforts for pearls. The board is excited to watch Kathy and Jen’s bold, modern plans unfold,” Basalely said.
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